Vote rigging claims grow as Manurewa probe uncovers more suspicious voting records

Auckland (The NZ Today)

Questions over the integrity of last year’s Manurewa Local Board election have intensified after voting records reviewed during an ongoing investigation appeared to show ballots recorded under names of people who say they did not vote — including one case involving a person who had died before polling.

The allegations, which are already being investigated by police, have raised concerns about possible interference with the local election process and the impact it could have on public confidence in voting systems.

An investigation by NZ Herald Premium found several cases where residents told the publication they either did not receive voting papers or did not cast a ballot, despite records showing votes had been submitted from their addresses.

The concerns include a Manurewa street where voting numbers appeared unusually high compared with what some residents expected based on their own experiences.

One recorded vote was linked to a woman who had died in 2022, according to information reviewed by the Herald.

The voting data was obtained from Election Services by Manurewa Local Board member Joseph Allan and later analysed by former board member Toa Greening, who raised concerns about unusual turnout patterns.

The allegations are part of a wider probe into claims that ballot papers may have been taken from letterboxes and improperly completed before being returned.

Police have confirmed they are leading the investigation, while the Serious Fraud Office has also been alerted over the claims.

Election Services principal electoral officer Dale Ofsoske said the organisation had been in contact with police but could not comment while the investigation was continuing.

Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson said allegations of electoral misconduct were serious because they could undermine trust in democratic processes.

The council has provided information to investigators and has appointed independent observers to support the Manurewa Local Board while concerns around governance and public confidence are addressed.

Police have not confirmed whether any criminal offending has occurred, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Source: NZ Herald Premium investigation; Auckland Council statements; police updates.